As they entered the vault Serra and Cid immediately headed for the armory at the back, heads close as they muttered to each other about what weapons or equipment they would choose to complement their proposed builds. The two Terrans had already gone through the exercise to an extent yesterday with Osar, but after last night’s discussion with Eric about team composition they had new ideas and insights as well as new information regarding their ability to influence the channels of their schema. There were adjustments to be made and new factors to consider, and both people were unwilling to commit to a build without going through what they had available one more time.
Eric on the other hand, had already settled on the Core and general concept of the build he wanted for himself. He had even taken one of the cores out of storage as a provisional third core for his Root slot. Greedy, he knew, but he justified it by telling himself that none of the others would likely want or even make use of that particular core anyway.
His choice for his Gate Core however, was simple.
Once he and Osar had made their way to stand beside the vault’s single table, on top of which were placed two spatial boxes, Eric opened Vashanka’s Ring and retrieved the core he had placed there yesterday.
You have obtained a Pseudostar Beast Core (Mythic Beast Core).
Aspects: Hunger, Shadow, Void
Do you wish to make this your Gate Core? Yes/No
Not yet, Eric thought, even as he offered the core to Osar.
“A good choice for a second core, Jad-Os.” Osar said as he examined the cuboidal core Eric had passed to him. Despite his words, Osar grimaced at the distasteful sensation of cold yielding flesh that the cube gave, even as it shed a sickly, dim light over everything. “The pseudostar is a rare beast that travels the void endlessly hungry and searching for food. It’s lack of eyes is offset by its highly advanced spatial sense, making it able to sense any nearby object which, once detected, the Pseudostar relentlessly pursues and devours, whatever that object may be.” Eric’s eyebrows rose at the Urgan’s description, which made Osar laugh out loud. “The beast will eat anything Jad-Os, and I mean anything: A pseudostar can subsist on rock and even something as insubstantial as the ambient aether emitted by the stars, although it much prefers living meat.”
The big Urgan handed the core back to Eric. “For any other Type other than a Command-focused Striker placing a Pseudostar as a Gate Core during the Foundation Stage would be inadvisable, mainly because many of the advantages it provides are geared towards long-range sensing and detection, which most of the other Types do not really need. In your case though, it is those same advantages that I think will truly benefit your proposed build.”
Their discussion last night had resulted in a consensus regarding the composition of the team, for now at least: Osar as tank, Serra as main damage dealer and medic, Cid as long-range artillery and unconventional support, while Eric took up the role of a team leader and pinch-hitter. Accordingly, Eric had decided to focus abilities that would allow him to excel in pre-combat recon and, when the team was in combat, to provide overwatch, coordination, and extra martial support when needed.
Eric placed the core on the table, and then took out the gold and silver ticket he had received through gaining the title of Commander of the Obsidian Moon. Osar’s jaw dropped when he saw the ticket, recognizing it for an important System-generated artifact even if he did not know what it did. faint shimmer danced across its flat surface, highlighting the quality and importance of the item. Taking the ends of the ticket in both hands, Eric ripped the card in half, and drew back in surprise as gold and red sparks erupted from the irregular ends. A golden window appeared as the sparks from the ticket died out.
You have used a Unique Ability Ticket.
You have received the following ability:
Combat Style Evolution Seed (Prime Core Improvement)
Requirements: Possess an empty Prime Core Nexus
Effect 1: Once the seed is implanted on a Prime Core nexus immediately gain a permanent +5 to Nerve. As you increase in power and gain increasing understanding of your abilities, the Seed will learn and develop. At a certain point in your development the Seed will bloom and provide the first step into creating a combat style that is uniquely yours.
A small white teardrop-shaped object appeared on Eric’s palm, accompanied by a refreshing, cool scent that seemed to brighten up the room.
Eric passed his newly-acquired seed to Osar as he read the notification, which he then re-read it to make sure he understood what it was saying. Osar received the same notification as he handled the seed, which the big Urgan read with interest, gasping with surprise as he grasped what the seed was capable of.
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“This… this is certainly is a unique artifact Jad-Os,” Osar said, awe choking up his words, as he handed back the seed to Eric. “I have only heard rumors of such a thing existing, and then only spoken about in the highest ranks of the Clan I was once a part of…”
Osar stopped abruptly, when Eric gasped aloud as three new notification screens appeared, overlayed one over another.
Simple System Concept discovered: The System is a dynamic mystery that continuously adapts and grows in complexity with each new adept and their actions within System-monitored locations.
As soon as Eric read that, the window disappeared, showing the window behind it:
You have gained a new Title: Seeker
Seeker
You have taken the first step to gaining an understanding of the System.
Effect 1: Gain the System Understanding tracker.
Further Effects may become available if certain conditions are met.
A System Understanding Tracker? Something to keep track of what he knew about the System? Why would the System itself give him something to track what he knew about it? Before he could lose himself in speculation, the Seeker window faded away and the last notification became visible:
Hidden Quest Activated: Learn the Deeper Mysteries of the System
Step 1 Objective: Gain a deeper understanding than most of the System
Time Limit: None
Step 1 Reward: Gens Improvement
Do you accept this active quest? Yes/No
“Yes.” Eric whispered, now thoroughly stumped by what was occurring.
“Is something wrong Jad-Os?” Osar asked, concern all over his face as he watched Eric’s confusion.
“I just received a quest and a tracker regarding the System,” Eric said softly, watching as the notification windows disappeared entirely. “It seems the System itself wants me to actively try to learn more about it… is this something normal to all adepts?”
Osar hesitated, reflexively looking around to see if anyone was nearby before answering. Cid and Serra were still within the inner vault examining weapons, so there was no one within hearing distance.
“Jad Eric, these are matters of high import,” Osar started, almost whispering as he leaned closer to Eric. “Similar to the seed you received, these are things that are known and discussed only in the levels of power that exist at the very top of Houses, Clans, and other similar organizations. I myself only know of it because I once served as a bodyguard for one of the heirs of the Caeladian Dominion before… well, before I wasn’t anymore.”
Eric nodded, noting the quick pained expression on the Urgan’s face. There was a story there for sure, but under the circumstances, Eric was willing to let it slide for a moment. Shaking his head, Osar continued.
“I overheard a few conversations, and discussed some with the other prince’s guards… From those snippets of information, I can tell you that certain people get these types of notifications and power-ups, and many speculate that the System itself was created for some strange and nebulous purpose by the World Builders, the lost Architects… and that the purpose is yet to be realized.”
Eric grimaced involuntarily, his mind immediately recoiling from becoming a pawn for some xenoform-created System with a mysterious end-goal. Just then, their two other companions returned, looking satisfied and eager to begin finalizing their builds. Osar gave Eric a conspiratorial nod, before turning to greet the two Terrans.
It only took a few moments for all three of the Terrans to prepare their chosen cores. The three of them stood near the middle of the vault, with Osar facing them, and the cores held in their hands. Eric looked at each of them, before nodding and choosing Yes on the Gate Core prompt.
Golden light appeared around each of them, charging their bodies with jolts of aetheric power. Eric felt the Gate Core forming as a heaviness on the left side of his lower chest, then a series of sharp, short pains as the channels connected to the new core. A wave of new strength shuddered through Eric’s body, originating from the new core, with painful heat running through the entire left side of his body. Eric stifled a groan of pain, sweat creating a sheen over his face as the painful heat built and built before finally dissipating. Eric was left panting harshly, looking at a new notification window:
You have created your Gate Core.
Of the Cores given aspects you receive augmentations to Hunger and Void.
You have gained the ability Transparent Body.
You may now install and use spell stones connected to your Schema.
You may now choose a specialization for your Type.
“Congratulations on your new core, sir.” Pig said as soon as Eric read the notification. “I have received new information regarding new features to your Gens.”
Eric grunted in acknowledgement, his overworked muscles still jerking in reaction to the agony it had experienced a few moments ago. Quickly, he read and dismissed the description for the Transparent Body ability, noting that it would be useful for scouting and keeping himself hidden. His main interest however, was in the line that followed the ability’s introduction.
“Tell me about these spell stones.” Eric commanded.
Before Pig could answer, Cid gave a hoarse shout, and Eric looked over to see that the two other Terrans were only now straightening from their pain-induced contortions. Serra appeared to be more composed if a little unsteady, but Osar had had to step forward to help Cid remain on his feet. The scientist was pasty-faced and sweat-drenched, though his face bore a triumphant smile as his eyes met Eric’s.
“Hellfire!” Serra said at Eric’s side, wiping her face messily on her sleeve. “That was rough!”
“Not as rough as merging the cores will be friend Serra,” Osar said with a chuckle, patting the grateful Cid on the back as the scientist recovered. “That, I will tell you now, will make this one feel like a relaxing massage.”
Serra cursed good-naturedly, but all the Terrans felt a chill run down their spine at the prospect of undergoing a more painful ordeal than that which they had just gone through.
“Attention, my friends,” Osar added as he made his way back to the table, catching everyone’s attention by waving his huge arms. “I know all of you are eager to start selecting your Gen’s features, but I have something to explain that I believe would be beneficial for you to know before you proceed any further.”
Interest piqued, the three Terras moved closer. Osar opened one of the chests on the table, smiling as he pulled out a long, enameled case made out of several strips of different colored ivory. Holding it before him, Osar opened the lid, revealing a red-velvet lined interior and four finely cut gemstones gleaming with a soft, white glow.
“Let’s talk about spell stones.”